Askora, A., El-Tahan, A., eldidamony, G. (2024). Isolation and characterization of a bacteriophage capable of combatting Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli O157:H7. Bulletin of Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, 2024(1), 195-203. doi: 10.21608/bfszu.2023.228803.1295
Ahmed Askora; Amera Saeed El-Tahan Saeed El-Tahan; gamal eldidamony. "Isolation and characterization of a bacteriophage capable of combatting Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli O157:H7". Bulletin of Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, 2024, 1, 2024, 195-203. doi: 10.21608/bfszu.2023.228803.1295
Askora, A., El-Tahan, A., eldidamony, G. (2024). 'Isolation and characterization of a bacteriophage capable of combatting Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli O157:H7', Bulletin of Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, 2024(1), pp. 195-203. doi: 10.21608/bfszu.2023.228803.1295
Askora, A., El-Tahan, A., eldidamony, G. Isolation and characterization of a bacteriophage capable of combatting Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli O157:H7. Bulletin of Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, 2024; 2024(1): 195-203. doi: 10.21608/bfszu.2023.228803.1295
Isolation and characterization of a bacteriophage capable of combatting Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli O157:H7
1Botany and microbiology department,Faculty of science,Zagazig University
2Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University
3aDepartment of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Egypt
Abstract
The study aimed to identify and analyze a bacteriophage from the Al.Qnayat Wastewater Treatment Plant in EL-Sharika Governorate. A distinctive lytic zone in the bacterial lawn from a plaque assay indicated its presence. Successfully, a novel phage, Vb-Ecm1, was isolated using a phage spot test, demonstrating strong lytic properties against Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) O157 strains LC666912 (stx2) and LC666913 (stx1/stx2). Electron microscopy identified the phage's structural features, hinting at its belonging to the Myoviridae family due to its extended contractile tail. Vb-Ecm1 produced a distinct 1mm plaque with a transparent core. Its host specificity was assessed using spot tests on a variety of bacterial strains from Egyptian labs. Remarkably, Vb-Ecm1 exhibited potent lytic activity against the E.coli strain LC589615, sourced from Ainshams University's Botany department. The phage's adsorption rate showed a consistent decrease, bottoming out at 12 minutes, suggesting an adsorption rate of K=1.7x10-10. The phage infection lifecycle was detailed through a one-step growth curve, revealing 10-minute latency and an average burst size of 128 for Vb-Ecm1. Vb-Ecm1 displayed notable heat stability, remaining active up to 50°C. However, it became inactive at 80°C and completely lost its activity at 90°C. Its activity spanned a wide pH spectrum (4 to 11), with optimal survival observed at pH 6 and 7.8. Notably, the phage was more resilient at a pH of 6 compared to a pH of 8.